This past weekend, I was interviewed by the Kaleva newspaper. The resulting article was given an eye-catching headline with me encouraging students to start a family. The underlying question the article was asking was whether there might be a connection between students’ mental health problems and low birth rates. An interesting question.
We should be careful not to presume there is a straightforward connection here. This is a societal issue, but also a highly personal and sensitive one. There are no easy or simple answers to either phenomenon.
However, what we do know based on research and statistics is:
- Mild and moderate mental health concerns among students have increased. Anxiety disorder is one of the most common diagnoses made by the FSHS. Our services are highly sought after, and we are committed to providing them – to each and every student who needs them. We also see that our mental health services are helping a large number of students, and at the same time supporting their ability to study.
- Two-thirds of higher education students hope to have children in the future, men slightly more commonly than women. Among women, the wish to have children has declined in recent years. Obstacles to having children, as experienced by students, include issues such as their financial situation, coping and energy levels, and a feeling that social support is inadequate (Finnish Student Health and Wellbeing Survey KOTT 2024).
- About one-fifth of students have a family: 11% of students in academic universities and 25% of students in universities of applied sciences (Eurostudent survey 2022).
The pressures faced by students are high and numerous. Demands from their educational institutions, concerns about the world, society and the climate, the economic situation, including low employment rates, the pressure to compare their life to those they see on social media – to name but a few. Loneliness and social anxiety are also common topics at FSHS appointments.
At the same time, however, it is just as true that many students are fortunately doing well.
Nevertheless, what is perhaps true for everyone is that it would be beneficial if the reality surrounding us could instil in our young adults much more faith in the future, as this faith is currently being put to the test.
In this situation, talks about starting a family or society’s concern over low birth rates might not resonate with young adult students. Neither the FSHS nor I personally want to add to our students’ already heavy burden in this respect. Instead, we want to be there for students, not only caring for their general and mental health, but also providing high-quality sexual health services. As part of this, the FSHS also helps students with fertility questions.
We all know that in the 2020s birth rates are at a historical low in Finland, with the age at which people become parents continuing to increase. I’d be thrilled to be encouraging discussion about whether it’s currently truly possible for young adults in Finland to fulfil a dream of starting a family at the time in their life when the likelihood for success would be highest health-wise and biology-wise. Do the current economic situation, employment and housing prospects, support networks and society in general encourage students aged 20 to 30 in Finland to start a family? I think we all know the answer: no they don’t.
A report commissioned from Research Professor Anna Rotkirch by the Finnish Government in 2021 tells us that reproductive health and fertility awareness in Finland leave much to be desired. We must support people in their path to parenthood, within diverse family forms, or equally in their wish to remain child-free. It must be our goal that everyone wishing to have children knows where to look for and, should they need it, get help for these issues. It’s in this planning of a life path where the FSHS can be one of those providing help and support.
The report says, and recommends:
“Although the average lifespan has increased, the period during which people have and raise children has shortened and now falls between the ages of 25 and 39 for most Finns. This new life timeline requires the teaching of novel family planning skills to children, adolescents and young adults.”
At the same time, however, it’s equally important to remember that there are a great number of factors at play here. Including delicate life situations. As students themselves have said, obstacles to fulfilling their dream of having children can include issues such as a low income, worrying about coping, or a feeling that social support is inadequate. Their concerns must be taken seriously.